Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (4 of 8) The Fovrth Booke Of The Historie Of England doc

Chronicles : The Historie of England
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Title: Chronicles (1 of 6): The Historie of England (4 of 8) The Fovrth Booke Of The Historie Of England
Author: Raphael Holinshed
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THE FOVRTH BOOKE
OF THE
HISTORIE OF ENGLAND.
* * * * *
_The Britains discomfited, sore wounded, slaine, and disabled by Plautius and his power, Claudius the
Romane taketh the chiefe citie of Cymbeline the king of Britaine, he bereaueth the Britains of their armour,
and by vertue of his conquest ouer part of the land is surnamed Britannicus_.
THE FIRST CHAPTER.
Now Plautius had much adoo to find out the Britains in their lurking holes and couerts; howbeit when he had
traced them out, first he vanquished Cataratacus, and after Togodumnus the sonnes of Cynobellinus: for their
father was dead not verie long before. These therefore fléeing their waies, Plautus receiued part of the people
[Sidenote: Bodumni Catuellani] called Bodumni (which were subiects vnto them that were called Catuellani)
into the obeisance of the Romans: and so leauing there a garrison of souldiors, passed further till he came to a
riuer which could not well be passed without a bridge: wherevpon the Britains tooke small regard to defend
the passage, as though they had béene sure inough. But Plautius appointed a certeine number of Germans
which he had there with him (being vsed to swim ouer riuers although neuer so swift) to get ouer, which they
did, sleaing and wounding the Britains horsses, which were fastened to their wagons or chariots, so that the
Britains were not able to doo anie péece of their accustomed seruice with the same.

Herewithall was Flauius Vespasianus (that afterwards was emperour) with his brother Sabinus sent ouer that
riuer, which being got to the further side, slue a great number of the enimies. The residue of the Britains fled,
but the next day proffered a new battell, in the which they fought so stoutlie, that the victorie depended long in
Chronicles : The Historie of England 1
doubtfull balance, till Caius Sidius Geta being almost at point to be taken, did so handle the matter, that the
Britains finallie were put to flight: for the which his valiant dooings, triumphant honors were bestowed vpon
him, although he was no consull.
The Britains after this battell, withdrew to the riuer of Thames, néere to the place where it falleth into the sea,
and knowing the shallowes and firme places thereof, easilie passed ouer to the further side, whom the Romans
following, through lacke of knowledge in the nature of the places, they fell into the marish grounds, and so
came to lose manie of their men, namelie of the Germans, which were the first that passed ouer the riuer to
follow the Britains, partlie by a bridge which lay within the countrie ouer the said riuer, and partlie by
swimming, and other such shift as they presentlie made.
[Sidenote: _Togodumnus_] The Britains hauing lost one of their rulers, namelie Togodumnus (of whom ye
haue heard before) were nothing discouraged, but rather more egerlie set on reuenge. Plautius perceiuing their
fiercenesse, went no further, but staid and placed garrisons in stéeds where néed required, to kéepe those
places which he had gotten, and with all spéed sent aduertisement vnto Claudius, according to that he had in
commandement, if anie vrgent necessitie should so mooue him. Claudius therefore hauing all things before
hand in a readinesse, straightwaies vpon the receiuing of the aduertisement, departed from Rome, and came
by water vnto Ostia, and from thence vnto Massilia, and so through France sped his iournies till he came to
the side of the Ocean sea, and then imbarking himselfe with his people, passed ouer into Britaine, and came to
his armie which abode his comming néere the Thames side, where being ioined, they passed the riuer againe,
fought with the Britains in a pitcht field, and getting the victorie, tooke the towne of Camelodunum (which
some count to be Colchester) being the chiefest citie apperteining vnto Cynobelinus. He reduced also manie
other people into his subiection, some by force, and some by surrender, whereof he was called oftentimes by
the name of emperour, which was against the ordinance of the Romans: for it was not lawfull for anie to take
that name vpon him oftener than once in anie one voiage. Moreouer, Claudius tooke from the Britains their
armor and weapons, and committed the gouernment of them vnto Plautius, commanding him to endeuour
himselfe to subdue the residue.
[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius_] Thus hauing brought vnder a part of Britaine, and hauing made his abode therin

not past a sixtene daies, he departed and came backe againe to Rome with victorie in the sixt month after his
setting [Sidenote: _Suetonius_] foorth from thence, giuing after his returne, to his sonne, the surname of
Britannicus. This warre he finished in maner as before is said, in the fourth yéere of his reigne, which fell in
the yéere of the world 4011, after the birth of our Sauiour 44, and after the building of Rome 797.
* * * * *
_The diuerse opinions and variable reports of writers touching the partile conquest of this Iland by the
Romans, the death of Guiderius_.
THE SECOND CHAPTER.
There be that write, how Claudius subdued and added to the Romane empire, the Iles of Orknie situate in the
north Ocean beyond Britaine: which might well be accomplished either by Plautius, or some other his
lieutenant: for Plautius indéed for his noble prowesse and valiant acts atchieued in Britaine, afterwards
triumphed. Titus the sonne of Vespasian also wan no small praise for deliuering his father out of danger in his
time, being beset with a companie of Britains, which the said Titus bare downe, and put to flight with great
slaughter. Beda following the authoritie of Suetonius, writeth bréeflie of this matter, and saith, that Claudius
passing ouer into this Ile, to the which neither before Iulius Cesar, neither after him anie stranger durst come,
within few daies receiued the most part of the countrie into his subiection without battell or bloudshed.
Gyldas also writing of this reuolting of the Britains, saith thus: "When information thereof was giuen to the
senate, and that hast was made with a spéedie armie to reuenge the same, there was no warlike nauie prepared
Chronicles : The Historie of England 2
in the sea to fight valiantlie for the defense of the countrie, no square battell, no right wing, nor anie other
prouision appointed on the shore to be séene, but the backes of the Britains in stead of a shield are shewed to
the persecutors, and their necks readie to be cut off with the sword through cold feare running through their
bones, which stretched foorth their hands to be bound like womanlie creatures; so that a common prouerbe
followed thereof, to wit, That the Britains were neither valiant in warre, nor faithfull in peace: and so the
Romans sleaing manie of the rebels, reseruing some, and bringing them to bondage, that the land should not
lie altogither vntilled and desert, returned into Italie out of that land which was void of wine and oile, leauing
some of their men there for gouernors to chastise the people, not so much with an armie of men, as with
scourge and whip, and if the matter so required, to applie the naked sword vnto their sides: so that it might be
accounted Rome and not Britaine. And what coine either of brasse, siluer or gold there was, the same to be
stamped with the image of the emperour." Thus farre Gildas.

[Sidenote: _Gal. Mon. Matth. West._] In the British historie we find other report as thus, that Claudius at his
comming aland at Porchester, besieged that towne, to the rescue whereof came Guiderius, and giuing battell to
the Romans, put them to the woorse, till at length one Hamo, being on the Romans side, changed his shield
and armour, apparelling himselfe like a Britaine, and so entring into the thickest prease of the British host,
came at length where the king was, and there slue him. But Aruiragus perceiuing this mischiefe, to the end the
Britains should not be discouraged therewith, caused himselfe to be adorned with the kings cote-armor, and
other abiliments, and so as king continued the fight with such manhood, that the Romans were put to flight.
Claudius retired backe to his ships, and Hamo to the next woods, whom Aruiragus pursued, and at length
droue him vnto the sea side, and there slue him yer he could take the hauen which was there at hand; so that
the same tooke name of him, and was called a long time after, Hamons hauen, and at length by [Sidenote:
Hampton, why so called.] corruption of speach it was called Hampton, and so continueth vnto this day,
commonlie called by the name of Southhampton. Thus haue you heard how Guiderius or Guinderius (whether
you will) came to his end, which chanced (as some write) in the 28 yéere of his reigne.
* * * * *
_Aruiragus the Britaine & Claudius the Romane with their armies doo incounter, a composition concerning
mariage concluded betweene them, Claudius returneth to Rome_.
THE THIRD CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: ARUIRAGUS. _Hector Boet._] Aruiragus the yoongest son of Kymbeline, and brother to
Guinderius (bicause the same Guinderius left no issue to succéed him) was admitted king of Britaine in the
yeere of our Lord 45, or rather 46.
This Aruiragus, otherwise called by the Britains Meuricus or Mauus, of [Sidenote: Caxton.] Tacitus
Prasutagus, is also named Armiger in the English chronicle, by which chronicle (as appéereth) he bare
himselfe right manfullie against Claudius and his Romans in the war which they made against [Sidenote:
_Gal. Mon_.] him: in so much that when Claudius had renewed his force and woone Porchester, and after
came to besiege Winchester (in the which Aruiragus as then was inclosed) Aruiragus assembling his power,
was readie to come foorth and giue Claudius battell: wherevpon Claudius doubting the sequele of the thing,
sent messengers vnto Aruiragus to treat of concord, and so by composition the matter was taken vp, with
condition, that Claudius should giue his daughter Genissa in marriage vnto Aruiragus, & Aruiragus should
acknowledge to hold his kingdome of the Romans.
[Sidenote: Ranulfus Cestrensis.] Some write that Claudius in fauour of the valiant prowesse which he saw &

found in Aruiragus, honored not onlie him with the mariage of his daughter the said Genissa, but also to the
end to make the towne more famous where this marriage was solemnized, he therefore called it
Claudiocestria, after his name, the which in the British toong was called before that daie Caerleon, and after
Glouernia, of a duke that ruled in Demetia that hight Glunie, but now it is called Glocester.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 3
Other there be that write, how Claudius being vanquished in battell by Aruiragus, was compelled by the said
Aruiragus to giue vnto him his said daughter to wife, with condition as before is mentioned: and that then
Aruiragus was crowned king of Britaine. But Suetonius maie [Sidenote: _Sueton._] séeme to reprooue this
part of the British historie, which in the life of Claudius witnesseth, that he had by thrée wiues onlie three
daughters, that is to saie, Claudia, Antonia, and Octauia: and further, that reputing Claudia not to be his,
caused hir to be cast downe at the doore of his wife Herculanilla, whome he had forsaken by waie of
diuorcement: & that he bestowed his daughter Antonia first on C. Pompeius Magnus, and after on Faustus
Silla, verie noble yoong gentlemen; and Octauia he matched with Nero his wiues son. Whereby it should
appéere, that this supposed marriage betwixt Aruiragus and the daughter of Claudius is but a feined tale.
¶ And héere to speake my fansie also what I thinke of this Aruiragus, and other the kings (whome Galfrid and
such as haue followed him doo register in order, to succéed one after another) I will not denie but such
persons there were, and the same happilie bearing verie great rule in the land, but that they reigned as absolute
kings ouer the whole, or that they succéeded one after another in manner as is auouched by the same writers, it
seemeth most vnlike to be true: for rather it maie be gessed by that, which as well Gyldas as the old approoued
Romane writers haue written, that diuerse of these kings liued about one time, or in times greatlie differing
from those times which in our writers we find noted. As for example, Iuuenal maketh this Aruiragus, of whom
we now intreat, to reigne about Domitians time. For my part therefore, sith this order of the British kinglie
succession in this place is more easie to be flatlie denied and vtterlie reprooued, than either wiselie defended
or trulie amended, I will referre the reforming therof vnto those that haue perhaps séene more than I haue, or
more déepelie considered the thing, to trie out an vndoubted truth: in the meane time, I haue thought good,
both to shew what I find in our histories, and likewise in forren writers, to the which we thinke (namelie in
this behalfe, whilest the Romans gouerned there) we maie safelie giue most credit, doo we otherwise neuer so
much content our selues with other vaine and fond conceits.
To procéed yet with the historie as we find it by our writers set foorth: it is reported, that after the
solemnization of this marriage, which was doone with all honour that might be deuised, Claudius [Sidenote:

Legions of souldiers sent into Ireland.] sent certeine legions of souldiers foorth to go into Ireland to subdue
that countrie, and returned himselfe to Rome.
* * * * *
_Aruiragus denieth subiection to the Romans, Vespasian is sent to represse him and his power, the Romane
host is kept backe from landing, queene Genissa pacifieth them after a sharpe conflict: & what the Romane
writers say of Vespasians being in Britaine, the end of Aruiragus_.
THE FOURTH CHAPTER.
Then did king Aruiragus ride about to view the state of his realme, repairing cities and townes decaied by the
warre of the Romans, and saw his people gouerned with such iustice and good order, that he was both feared
and greatlie beloued: so that in tract of time he grew verie welthie, and by reason thereof fell into pride, so
that he [Sidenote: Vespasian in Britaine. _Cornel. Tacit. in uit. Agr. lib. 3 & li. 6. Gal. Mon. Rutupium_.]
denied his subiection to the Romans. Wherevpon Claudius appointed Vespasian with an armie to go as
lieutenant into Britaine. This iournie was to him the beginning of his advancement to that honour, which after
to him most luckilie befell. But if we shall credit our Britaine writers, he gained not much at Aruiragus hands,
for where he would haue landed at Sandwich or Richborough, Aruiragus was readie to resist him, so as he
durst not once enter the hauen: for Aruiragus had there such a puissant number of armed men, that the
Romans were afraid to approach the land.
Vespasian therefore withdrew from thence, and coasting westward, landed at Totnesse, and comming to
Excester, besieged that citie: but about the seuenth day after he had planted his siege, came Aruiragus, and
gaue him battell, in the which both the armies sustained great losse of men, and neither part got anie
Chronicles : The Historie of England 4
aduantage of the other. On the morrow after quéene Genissa made them friends, and so the warres ceassed for
that time, by hir good mediation.
¶ But séeing (as before I haue said) the truth of this historie maie be greatlie mistrusted, ye shall heare what
the Romane writers saie of Vespasianus being héere in Britaine, beside that which we haue alreadie recited
out of Dion in the life of Guiderius. [Sidenote: Vespasian. _Suetonius. Salcellicus_.] In the daies of the
emperor Claudius, through fauour of Narcissus (one that might doo all with Claudius) the said Vespasian was
sent as coronell or lieutenant of a legion of souldiers into Germanie, and being remooued from thence into
Britaine, he fought thirtie seuerall times with the enimies, and brought vnto the Romane obeisance two most
mightie nations, and aboue twentie townes, togither with the Ile of Wight; and these exploits he atchiued,

partlie vnder the conduct of Aulus Plautius ruler of Britaine for the emperor Claudius, and partlie vnder the
same emperor himselfe. For as it is euident by writers of good credit, he came first ouer into Britaine with the
said Aulus Plautius, and serued verie valiantlie vnder him, as before in place we haue partlie touched. By
Tacitus it appeareth, that he was called to be partener in the gouernment of things in Britaine with Claudius,
and had such successe, as it appéered to what estate of honour he was predestinate, hauing conquered nations,
and taken kings prisoners. But now to make an end with Aruiragus: when he perceiued that his force was too
weake to preuaile against the Romane empire, and that he [Sidenote: _Gal. Mon._] should striue but in vaine
to shake the yoke of subiection from the necks of the Britains, he made a finall peace with them in his old age,
and so continued in quiet the residue of his reigne, which he lastlie ended by death, after he had gouerned the
land by the space [Sidenote: 73.] of thirtie yéeres, or but eight and twentie, as some other imagine. He died in
the yéere of Grace 73, as one author affirmeth, and was buried [Sidenote: _Matth. West._] at Glocester.
* * * * *
_Ioseph of Aramathia came into Britaine and Simon Zelotes, the antiquitie of christian religion, Britaine
gouerned by Lieutenants and treasurers of the Romane emperors, the exploits of Ostorius Scapula and the men
of Oxfordshire, he vanquisheth the Welshmen, appeaseth the Yorkshiremen, and brideleth the rage of the
Silures_.
THE FIFT CHAPTER.
In the daies of the said Aruiragus, about the yeare of Christ 53, Ioseph of Arimathia, who buried the bodie of
our sauiour, being sent by Philip the Apostle (as Iohn Bale following the authoritie of Gildas and other British
writers reciteth) after that the Christians were dispersed out of Gallia, came into Britaine with diuers other
godlie [Sidenote: Polydorus.] christian men, & preaching the gospell there amongst the Britains, & instructing
them in the faith and lawes of Christ, conuerted manie to the true beliefe, and baptised them in the wholsome
water of regeneration, & there continued all the residue of his life, obteining of the king a plot of ground
where to inhabit, not past a foure miles from Wells, and there with his fellowes began to laie the first
foundation of the true and perfect religion, in which place (or néere thereinto) was afterward erected the
abbeie of Glastenburie.
Nicephorus writeth in his second booke and fourth chapter, that one Simon Zelotes came likewise into
Britaine. And Theodoretus in his 9. booke "De curandis Græcorum affectibus," sheweth that Paule being
released of his second imprisonment, and suffered to depart from Rome, preached the gospell to the Britains
and to other nations in the west. The same thing in manner dooth Sophronius the patriarch of Ierusalem

witnesse, Tertullian also maie be a witnesse of the ancientnes of the faith receiued here in Britaine, where he
writing of these times saith: Those places of the Britains, to the which the Romans could not approch, were
subiect vnto Christ, as were also the countries of Sarmatia, Dacia, Germania, Scithia, and others. ¶ Thus it
maie appeare, that the christian religion was planted here in this land shortlie after Christes time, although it
certeinlie appeareth not who were the first that preached the gospell to the Britains, nor whether they were
Gréeks or Latins.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 5
Cornelius Tacitus writeth, that the Romane emperours in this season [Sidenote: Treasurers or receiuers.]
gouerned this land by lieutenants and treasurers, the which were called by the name of legats and procurators,
thereby to kéepe the vnrulie inhabitants the better in order.
[Sidenote: Aulus Plautius.] And Aulus Plautius a noble man of Rome of the order of consuls, was [Sidenote:
Ostorius Scapula.] sent hither as the first legat or lieutenant (in maner as before ye haue heard) & after him
Ostorius Scapula, who at his comming found the Ile in trouble, the enimies hauing made inuasion into the
countrie of those that were friends to the Romans, the more presumptuouslie, [Sidenote: _Cor. Tacitus lib.
12_.] for that they thought a new lieutenant, with an armie to him vnacquainted and come ouer now in the
beginning of winter, would not be hastie to march foorth against them. But Ostorius vnderstanding that by the
first successe and chance of warre, feare or hope is bred and augmented, hasted forward to encounter with
them, and such as he found abroad in the countrie he slue out right on euerie side, and pursued such as fled, to
the end they should not come togither againe. Now for that a displeasing and a doubtfull peace was not like to
bring quietnesse either to him or to his armie, he tooke from such as he suspected, their armour. And after this,
he went about to defend the riuers of Auon & Seuerne, with placing his souldiers in camps fortified néere to
the same. But the Oxfordshire men and other of those parties would not suffer him to accomplish his purpose
in anie quiet sort, being a puissant kind of people, and not hitherto weakened [Sidenote: Cornelius Tacit. lib.
12.] by warres: for they willinglie at the first had ioined in amitie with the Romans. The countries adjoining
also being induced by their procurement, came to them, & so they chose forth a plot of ground, fensed with a
mightie ditch, vnto the which there was no waie to enter but one, & the same verie narrow, so as the
horssemen could not haue anie easie passage to breake in vpon them. Ostorius, although he had no legionarie
souldiers, but certeine bands of aids, marched foorth towards the place within the which the Britains were
lodged, and assaulting them in the same, brake through into their campe, where the Britains being impeached
with their owne inclosures which they had raised for defense of the place, knowing how that for their rebellion

they were like to find small mercie at the Romans hands, when they saw now no waie to escape, laid about
them manfullie, and shewed great proofe of their valiant stomachs.
In this battell, the sonne of Ostorius the lieutenant deserued the [Sidenote: which was a certaine crowne, to be
set on his head called ciuica corona.] price and commendation of preseruing a citizen out of the cruell enimies
hands. But now with this slaughter of the Oxfordshire men, diuers of the Britains that stood doubtfull what
waie to take, either to rest in quiet, or to moue warres, were contented to be conformable [Sidenote: Cangi.]
vnto a reasonable order of peace, in so much that Ostorius lead his armie against the people called Cangi, who
inhabited that part of Wales now called Denbighshire, which countrie he spoiled on euerie side, no enimie
once daring to encounter him: & if anie of them aduentured priuilie to set vpon those which they found
behind, or on the outsids of his armie, they were cut short yer they could escape out of danger. Wherevpon he
marched straight to their campe and giuing them battell, vanquished them: and vsing the victorie as reason
moued him, he lead his armie against those that inhabited the inner parts of Wales, spoiling the countrie on
euerie side. And thus sharplie pursuing the rebels, he approched néere vnto the sea side, which lieth ouer
against Ireland. While this Romane capteine was thus occupied, he was called backe by the rebellion of the
Yorkshire men, whome forthwith vpon his comming vnto them, he appeased, punishing the first authors of
that tumult with death.
[Sidenote: _Cor. Tacitus. lib_. 12] In the meane time, the people called Silures, being a verie fierce kind of
men, and valiant, prepared to make warre against the Romans, for they might not be bowed neither with
roughnesse, nor yet with any courteous handling, so that they were to be tamed by an armie of legionarie
souldiers to be brought among them.
Therefore to restraine the furious rage of those people and their neighbours, Ostorious peopled a towne néere
to their borders, called Camelodunum with certeine bands of old souldiers, there to inhabit with their wiues
and children, according to such maner as was vsed in like cases of placing naturall Romans in anie towne or
citie, for the more suertie and defense of the same. Here also was a temple builded in the honor of Claudius
the emperour, where were two images erected, one of the goddesse Victoria, and an other of Claudius
Chronicles : The Historie of England 6
himselfe.
* * * * *
_The coniectures of writers touching the situation of Camelodunum supposed to be Colchester, of the Silures
a people spoken of in the former chapter, a foughten field betwene Caratacus the British prince, and Ostorius

the Romaine, in the confines of Shropshire; the Britains go miserablie to wracke, Caratacus is deliuered to the
Romans, his wife and daughter are taken prisoners, his brethren yeeld themselues to their enimies_.
THE SIXT CHAPTER.
But now there resteth a great doubt among writers, where this citie or towne called Camelodunum did stand,
of some (and not without good ground of probable coniectures gathered vpon the aduised consideration of the
circumstances of that which in old authors is found written [Sidenote: Camelodunum, Colchester.] of this
place) it is thought to be Colchester. But verelie by this place of Tacitus it maie rather seeme to be some other
towne, situat more westward than Colchester, sith a colonie of Romane souldiers were planted there to be at
hand, for the repressing of the vnquiet [Sidenote: Silures where they inhabited.] Silures, which by consent of
most writers inhabited in Southwales, or néere the Welsh marshes.
There was a castell of great fame in times past that hight Camaletum, or in British Caermalet, which stood in
the marshes of Summersetshire; but sith there is none that hath so written before this time, I will not saie that
happilie some error hath growne by mistaking the name of Camelodunum for this Camaletum, by such as
haue copied out the booke of Cornelius Tacitus; and yet so it might be doon by such as found it short or
vnperfectlie written, namelie, by such strangers or others, to whom onelie the name of Camelodunum was
onelie knowne, and Camaletum peraduenture neuer séene nor heard of. As for example, an Englishman that
hath heard of Waterford in Ireland, and not of Wexford, might in taking foorth a copie of some writing easilie
commit a fault in noting the one for the other. We find in Ptolomie Camedolon to be a citie belonging to the
Trinobants, and he maketh mention also of Camelodunum, but Humfrey Lhoyd thinketh that he meaneth all
one citie.
Notwithstanding Polydor Virgil is of a contrarie opinion, supposing the one to be Colchester in déed, and the
other that is Camelodunum to be Doncaster or Pontfret. Leland esteeming it to be certeinelie Colchester taketh
the Iceni men also to be the Northfolke men. But howsoeuer we shall take this place of Tacitus, it is euident
inough that Camelodunum stood not farre from the Thames. And therefore to séeke it with Hector Boetius in
Scotland, or with Polydor Virgil so far as Doncaster or Pontfret, it maie be thought a plaine error.
But to leaue each man to his owne iudgement in a matter so doubtfull, we will procéed with the historie as
touching the warres betwixt the Romans and the Silurians, against whome (trusting not onelie vpon their owne
manhood, but also vpon the high prowesse & valiancie of [Sidenote: _Cornelius Tacitus lib. Anna. 12_.]
Caratacus) Ostorius set forward. Caratacus excelled in fame aboue all other the princes of Britaine, aduanced
thereto by manie doubtfull aduentures and manie prosperous exploits, which in his time he had atchiued: but

as he was in policie and aduantage of place better prouided than the Romans: so in power of souldiers he was
ouermatched. [Sidenote: _Hu. Lhoyd_.] And therefore he remoued the battell into the parts of that countrie
where the Ordouices inhabited, which are thought to haue dwelled in the borders of Shropshire, Cheshire, and
Lancashire, which people together with other that misliked of the Romane gouernment, he ioined in one, and
chose a plot of ground for his aduantage, determining there to trie the vttermost hazard of battell.
The place which he thus chose was such, as the entries, the backwaies, and the whole situation thereof made
for the Britains aduantage, and cleane contrarie to the Romans, as inclosed among high hils. And if there were
anie easie passage to enter it vpon anie side, the same was shut vp with mightie huge stones in manner of a
rampire, and afore it there ran a riuer without anie certeine foord to passe ouer it. This place is supposed to lie
in the confines of Shropshire aloft vpon the top of an high hill there, enuironed with a triple rampire and ditch
Chronicles : The Historie of England 7
of great depth, hauing thrée entries into it, not directlie one against an other, but aslope. It is also (they saie)
compassed about with two riuers, to wit, on the left hand with the riuer called Clun, & on the right hand with
an other called Teuid. On thrée sides thereof the clime is verie stéepe and headlong, and no waie easie to come
or reach vnto it, but onelie one.
Caratac hauing thus fortified himselfe within this place, and brought his armie into it: to encourage his people,
he exhorted them to shew their manhood, affirming that to be the day, and that armie to be the same wherein
should appeare the beginning either of libertie then to be recouered, or else of perpetuall bondage for euer to
be susteined. He rehersed also speciallie by name those their elders, which had resisted Iulius Cesar, by whose
high valiancie they liued free from the bloudie thraldome and tributes of the Romans, and enioied their wiues
and children safe and vndefiled. Thus discoursing of manie things with them, in such hope of assured victorie,
that they began to raise their cries, each one for him selfe, declaring that he was bound by the dutie he owght
to the gods of his countrie, not to shrinke for feare of anie wounds or hurts that might chance vnto them by the
enimies weapon.
This chéerefulnesse of the Britains greatlie astonished the Romane lieutenant. The hideous course also of the
riuer before his face, the fortifications and craggie higth of the hils, all set full of enimies readie to beat him
backe, put him in great feare: for nothing he saw afore him, but that which séemed dreadfull to those that
should assaile. But the souldiers yet séemed to be verie desirous of battell, requesting him to bring them to it,
protesting that nothing was able to resist the force of noble prowes. Herewith the capteins and tribunes
discoursing the like, pricked forward the earnest willes which their souldiers had to fight.

Ostorius perceiuing such courage and readie wils in the men of warre, as well souldiers as capteins, began to
bestirre himselfe, and left nothing vndone that might serue to set forward their earnest desire to battell. And
hauing aduisedlie considered which waies were hard and [Sidenote: Cornelius Tacitus Annal. lib. 12.]
vnpossible to be entered vpon, and which were most easie for his people to find passage by, he led them
foorth, being most earnestlie bent to cope with the enimie.
Now hauing passed the water without any great difficultie, but comming to the rampire, he lost manie of his
people, so long as the fight was continued with shot and casting of darts: but after that the Romans couering
themselues with their targets, came once close togither, and approched vnder the rampire, they remooued
away the stones which the Britains had roughlie couched togither, and so came to ioine with them at
handblowes. The Britains being vnarmed, and not able to abide the force of the armed men, withdrew to the
top of the hilles, but as well their enimies that were light armed, as the other with heauie armour, followed and
brake in among them, so as the Britains could not turne them anie way to escape, for the light armed men with
shot a farre off, and the heauie armed with weapons at hand, sought to make slaughter and wracke of them on
ech side, so that this was a verie dolefull day to the Britains.
The wife and daughter of Caratake were taken prisoners, and his brethren also yéelded themselues. He
himselfe escaped, and committing his person vnto the assurance & trust of Cartemandua queene of the
Brigants, was by hir deliuered into the hands of the Romans. All this happened about nine yeres after the
warres in Britaine first began.
* * * * *
_The name of Caratacus famous in Italie, the maner how he and his alies were led captiues by the Romans in
triumph, his courage and manlie speech to the emperour Claudius, whereby he and his obteine mercie and
pardon: the Britains vndertake a new reuenge against the Romans; the cause why the Silures hated the
Romans, Ostorius Scapula dieth, the citie of Chester builded_.
THE SEUENTH CHAPTER.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 8
[Sidenote: _Cornelius Tacit. lib. 12_. Carataks name renowmed.] The name of Caratacus being brought out of
the Iles was alreadie spred ouer the prouinces adioining, and began now to grow famous through Italie. Men
therefore were desirous to sée what maner of man he was that had so manie yéeres set at naught the puissant
force of the empire. For in Rome the name of Caratacus was much spoken of, insomuch that the emperour
whilest he went about to preferre his owne honour, aduanced the glorie of him also that was vanquished: for

the people were called foorth as vnto some great notable sight or spectacle. The pretorian bands stood in order
of battell armed in the field that laie before their lodgings, through which field Caratake shuld come. Then
passed by the traine of his friends and seruants; and such armor, riches, iewels, and other things as had béene
gotten in those warres, were borne forward, and openlie shewed, that all men might behold the same.
After these followed his brethren, wife, and daughters: and last of all came Caratacus himselfe, whose
countenance was nothing like to theirs that went afore him. For whereas they fearing punishment for their
rebellion with wailefull countenance craued mercie, he neither by countenance nor words shewd anie token of
a discouraged mind, but being presented before the emperour Claudius sitting in his tribunall seat, he vttered
this speach as followeth.
"If there had béene in me so much moderation in time of prosperitie, [Sidenote: _* Sic_.] as there was
nobilitie of birth and puissance, I had come to this citie rather as a friend than as a capteine *: neither should I
haue thought scorne, being borne of most noble parents, and ruling ouer many people, to haue accepted peace
by waie of ioining with you in league. My present estate as it is to me reprochfull, so to you it is honorable. I
had at commandement, horsses, men, armor, and great riches; what maruell is it if I were loth to forgo the
same? For if you shall looke to gouerne all men, it must néeds follow that all men must be your slaues. If I
had at the first yéelded my selfe, neither my power nor your glorie had béene set foorth to the world, & vpon
mine execution I should straight haue béene forgotten. But if you now grant me life, I shall be a witnesse for
euer of your mercifull clemencie."
The emperour with these words being pacified, granted life both to Caratake, and also to his wife and
brethren, who being loosed from their bands, went also to the place where the empresse Agrippina sat (not
farre off) in a chaire of estate, whom they reuerenced with the like praise and thanks as they had doone before
to the emperour. After this the senat was called togither, who discoursed of manie things touching this
honourable victorie atchiued by the taking of Caratake, estéeming the same no lesse glorious, than when P.
Scipio shewed in [Sidenote: Siphax. L. Paulus.] triumph Siphax king of the Numidians, or L. Paulus the
Macedonian king Perses, or other Romane capteins anie such king whom they had vanquished.
Héerevpon it was determined, that Ostorius should enter the citie of Rome with triumph like a conqueror, for
such prosperous successe as hitherto had followed him: but afterwards his procéedings were not so luckie,
either for that after Caratake was remooued out of the waie, or bicause the Romans (as though the warre had
béene finished) looked negligentlie to themselues, either else for that the Britains taking compassion of the
miserable state of Caratake, being so worthie a prince, through fortunes froward aspect cast into miserie, were

more earnestlie set to reuenge his quarrell. Héerevpon they incompassed the maister of the campe, and those
legionarie bands of souldiers which were left amongst the Silures to fortifie a place there for the armie to
lodge in: and if succour had not come out of the next towns and castels, the Romans had béene destroied by
siege. The head capteine yet, and eight centurions, and euerie one else of the companies being most forward,
were slaine. Shortlie after they set vpon the Romane forragers, and put them to flight, and also such
companies of horssemen as were appointed to gard them. Héerevpon Ostorius set foorth certeine bands of
light horssemen, but neither could he staie the flight by that meanes, till finallie the legions entred the battell,
by whose force they were staid, and at length the Romans obteined the better: but the Britains escaped by
flight without great losse, by reason the daie was spent.
After this, manie bickerings chanced betwixt the Britains and Romans, & oftentimes they wrought their feats
more like the trade of them that vse to rob by the high waies, than of those that make open warre, taking their
enimies at some aduantage in woods and bogs, as hap or force ministred occasion vpon malice conceiued, or
Chronicles : The Historie of England 9
in hope of prey, sometimes by commandement, and sometimes without either commandement or knowledge
of capteine or officer.
At one time the Britains surprised two bands of footmen that were with the Romans in aid, and sent foorth to
forreie abroad vnaduisedlie, through couetousnesse of the capteins. This feat was atchiued by the Silures also,
the which in bestowing prisoners and part of the spoile vpon other of their neighbours, procured them likewise
to rebell against the Romans, and to take part with them. The Silures were the more earnestlie set against the
Romans, by occasion of words which the emperor Claudius had vttered in their disfauour, as thus: that euen as
the Sicambres were destroied and remooued into Gallia, so likewise must the Silures be dealt with, and the
whole nation of them extinguished. These words being blowne abroad, and knowne ouer all, caused the
Silures to conceiue a woonderfull hatred against the Romans, so that they were fullie bent, either to reteine
their libertie, or to die in defense thereof vpon the enimies swoord.
In the meane time Ostorius Scapula departed this life, a right noble warrior, and one who by litle & litle
insuing the steps of Aulus Plautius his predecessor, did what he could to bring the Ile into the forme of a
prouince, which in part he accomplished.
[Sidenote: W.H. in his chronologie.] There be some led by coniecture grounded vpon good aduised
considerations, that suppose this Ostorius Scapula began to build the citie of Chester after the ouerthrow of
Caratacus: for in those parties he fortified sundrie holds, and placed a number of old souldiers either there in

that selfe place, or in some other néere therevnto by waie of a colonie. And for somuch (saie they) as we read
of none other of anie name thereabouts, it is to be thought that he planted the same in Chester, where his
successors did afterwards vse to harbour their legions for the winter season, and in time of rest from iournies
which they haue to make against their common enimies.
In déed it is a common opinion among the people there vnto this daie, that the Romans built those vaults or
tauerns (which in that citie are vnder the ground) with some part of the castell. And verelie as [Sidenote:
_Ran. Hig._ alias Cestrensis.] Ranulfe Higden saith, a man that shall view and well consider those buildings,
maie thinke the same to be the woorke of Romans rather than of anie other people. That the Romane legions
did make their abode there, no man séene in antiquities can doubt thereof, for the ancient name Caer leon
ardour deuy, that is, The citie of legions vpon the water of Dée, proueth it sufficientlie enough.
[Sidenote: Corn. Tacit.] But to returne vnto Ostorius Scapula, we find in Corn. Tacitus, that during his time of
being lieutenant in this Ile, there were certeine [Sidenote: Cogidune a king in Britane.] cities giuen vnto one
Cogidune a king of the Britains, who continued faithfull to the Romans vnto the daies of the remembrance of
men liuing in the time of the said Cornelius Tacitus, who liued and wrote in the emperor Domitianus time.
This was doone after an old receiued custom of the people of Rome, to haue both subiects and kings vnder
their rule and dominion, as who so shall note the acts and déeds of the Roman emperours from C. Iulius Cesar
(who chased Pompeie out of Italie, and was the first that obteined the Romane empire to himselfe; of whom
also the princes and emperours succéeding him were called Cesars) to Octauian, Tiberius, Caligula, &c: maie
easilie marke and obserue. For they were a people of singular magnanimitie, of an ambitious spirit, gréedie of
honour and renowme, and not vnaptlie termed "Romani rerum domini, &c."
* * * * *
_ A. Didius is sent to supplie Ostorius his roome in Britaine, the trecherie and lecherie of queene Cartimanda,
Venutius keepeth the kingdome in spite of the Romans, by what meanes their confines in this Ile were
inlarged; the error of Hector Boetius and others touching the Silures, Brigants, and Nouants notified, the
Britains giue the Romans a shamefull ouerthrow_.
THE EIGHT CHAPTER.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 10
[Sidenote: A. Didius lieutenant.] After the deceasse of Ostorius Scapula, one A. Didius was sent to supplie his
roome, but yer he could come, things were brought out of order, and the Britains had vanquished the legion
whereof Manlius Valens had the conduct: this victorie was set foorth by the Britains to the vttermost, that with

the bruit thereof they might strike a feare into the lieutenants hart, now vpon his first comming ouer. And he
himselfe reported it by letters to the emperour after the largest manner, to the end that if he appeased the
matter, he might win the more praise; or if he were put to the woorst, and should not preuaile, that then his
excuse might séeme the more reasonable and woorthie of pardon. The Silures were they that had atchiued this
victorie, and kept a fowle stur ouer all the countries about them, till by the comming of Didius against them,
they were driuen backe and repelled.
But héerewith began trouble to be raised in another part: for after [Sidenote: Venutius ruler of the Iugants.]
that Caratac was taken, the chiefest and most skillfull capteine which the Britains had, was one Venutius, a
ruler of the people named Iugants, a man that remained a long time faithfull to the Romans, and [Sidenote:
Cartimanda.] by their power was defended from his enimies, who had married with Cartimanda queene of the
Brigants or Yorkeshire men. This Cartimanda (as ye haue heard) had deliuered Catarac into the Romans
hands, thereby ministring matter for the emperour Claudius to triumph, by which pleasure shewed to the
Romans, she increased thorough their friendship in power and wealth, whereof followed riotous lust to satisfie
hir wanton appetite, so as she falling at square with hir [Sidenote: Vellocatus.] husband, married Vellocatus,
one of his esquires, to whom she gaue hir kingdome, and so dishonoured hir selfe. Héerevpon insued cruell
warre, in so much that in the end Venutius became enimie also to the Romans. But first they tugged togither
betwixt themselues, & the quéene by a craftie policie found meanes to catch the brother and coosens of
Venutius, but hir enimies nothing therewith discouraged, but kindled the more in wrath against hir, ceassed
not to go forward with their purpose.
Manie of the Brigants disdaining to be subiect vnto a womans rule that had so reiected hir husband, reuolted
vnto Venutius: but yet the quéenes sensuall lust mixed with crueltie, mainteined the adulterer. Venutius
therefore calling to him such aid as he could get, and strengthened now by the reuolting of the Brigants,
brought Cartimanda to such a narrow point, that she was in great danger to fall into the hands of hir enimies:
which the Romans forséeing, vpon suit made, sent certeine bands of horssemen and footmen to helpe hir.
They had diuerse incounters with the enimies at the first, with doubtfull successe: [Sidenote: Venutius keepeth
the kingdome in despite of the Romans.] but at length they preuailed, and so deliuered the quéene out of perill,
but the kingdome remained to Venutius: against whom the Romans were constreined still to mainteine warre.
About the same time, the legion also which Cesius Nasica led, got the vpper hand of those Britains against
whom he was sent. For Didius being aged, and by victories past inough renowmed, thought it sufficient for
him to make warre by his capteins, so to staie and kéepe off the enimie. Certeine castels and holds in déed he

caused to be built and fortified, further within the countrie than had béene afore attempted by anie of his
predecessors, and so thereby were the confines of the Romans in this Ile somewhat inlarged. Thus haue ye
heard with what successe the Britains mainteined warre in defense of their libertie against the Romans,
whilest Claudius ruled the empire (according to the report of the Romane writers.)
[Sidenote: The error of Hector Boetius.] ¶ But here you must note, that Hector Boetius, following the
authoritie of one Veremond a Spaniard, of Cornelius Hibernicus, & also of Campbell, remooueth the Silures,
Brigants, and Nouants, so farre northward, that he maketh them inhabitants of those countries which the Scots
haue now in possession, and were euen then inhabited (as he affirmeth) partlie by the Scots, and partlie by the
Picts (as in the Scotish historie ye may sée more at large) so that what notable feat soeuer was atchiued by the
old Britains against the Romans, the same by him is ascribed to the Scots and Picts throughout his whole
historie, whereas (in verie truth) forsomuch as may be gathered by coniecture und presumption of that which
is left in writing by ancient authors, the Brigants inhabited Yorkshire, the Silures Wales and the Marches, and
the Nouants the countrie of Cumberland.
But forsomuch as he hath diligentlie gathered in what maner the warres were mainteined by those people
Chronicles : The Historie of England 11
against the Romans, and what valiant exploits were taken in hand and finished thorough their stoutnesse and
valiancie, ye may there read the same, and iudge at your pleasure [Sidenote: A note to be considered in the
reading of _Hect. Boetius_.] what people they were whome he so much praiseth: aduertising you hereof by
the way, that as we haue before expressed, none of the Romane writers mentioneth any thing of the Scots, nor
once nameth them, till the Romane empire began to decay, about the time of the emperor Constantius, father
of Constantine the great: so that if they had béene in this Ile then so famous both in peace and warre, as they
are reported by the same Boetius; maruell might it séeme, that the Romane writers would so passe them ouer
with silence.
[Sidenote: _Cor. Tac. lib. annal._ 15.] After the death of Claudius the emperor of Rome, Claudius Domitianus
Nero succéeded him in gouernement of the empire. In the seuenth yéere of whose reigne, which was after the
incarnation 53, the Romans receiued a great ouerthrow in Britaine, where neither the lieutenant A. Didius
Gallus (whom in this place Cornelius Tacitus calleth Auitus) could during the time of his rule doo no more but
hold that which was alreadie gotten, beside the building of certeine castels (as before ye haue heard) neither
his successor Verannius, beating and forreieng the woods, could atchiue anie further enterprise, for he was by
death preuented, so as he could not procéed forward with his purpose touching the warres which he had ment

to haue folowed, whose last words (in his testament expressed) detected him of manifest ambition: for adding
manie things by way of flatterie to content Neros mind, he wished to haue liued but two yéeres longer, in
which space he might haue subdued prouinces vnto his dominion, meaning therby the whole Ile of Britaine.
But this was a Romans brag, sauouring rather of ambition than of truth or likelihood.
* * * * *
_The gouernment of P. Suetonius in this Iland, he inuadeth Anglesey, and winneth it, a strange kind of
women, of the Druides, the Britains lament their miserie and seruitude, and take aduise by weapon to redresse
it against the Romans their enimies_.
THE NINTH CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: P. Suetonius lieutenant.] But now when this great losse chanced to the Romans Paulinus Suetonius
did gouerne here as lieutenant, a man most plentifullie furnished with all gifts of fortune and vertue, and
therewith a right skilfull warrior. This Suetonius therefore wishing to tame such of [Sidenote: Anglesey
inuaded.] the Britains as kept out, prepared to assaile the Ile of Anglesey, a countrie full of inhabitants, and a
place of refuge for all outlawes and rebels. He builded certeine brigantins with flat kéeles to serue for the
ebbes and shallow shelues here and there, lieng vncerteinlie in the straits which he had to passe. The footmen
ferried ouer in those vessels, the horssemen following by the foords, and swimming when they came into the
deepe, got likewise to the shore, where stood in order of battell and huge number of armed men close togither,
redie to beat backe the Romans, and to staie them from comming to land. [Sidenote: A strange maner of
women.] Amongst the men, a number of women were also running vp and downe as they had béene out of
their wits, in garments like to wild roges, with their haire hanging downe about their shoulders, and bearing
firebrands in their hands. There was also a companie of their priests [Sidenote: The Druids.] or philosophers
called Druides, who with stretched forth hands towards heauen, thundered out curssings against the Romans
in most bitter wise.
The souldiers were so amazed with the strangenesse of this sight, that (as men benummed of their lims and
senses) they suffred themselues to be wounded and slaine like senselesse creatures, till by the calling vpon of
their generall, and ech one incouraging other in no wise to feare a sort of mad & distract women, they
preassed forward vnder their ensignes, bearing downe such as stood in their way, and with their owne fire
smooldered and burnt them to ashes.
[Sidenote: Anglesey won by the Romans.] To conclude, the Romane lieutenant got possession of the whole
Ile, wherein he placed garisons of men of warre to kéepe the people there in subiection. He also caused their

Chronicles : The Historie of England 12
woods to be cut downe, that [Sidenote: Woods cut downe.] were consecrated to their gods, within the which
they were accustomed to sacrifice sush as they tooke prisoners, and by the view of their intrailes, in
dismembring them, to learne of their gods some oracles and such other things as should come to passe.
But now in the meane time, whilest Paulinus was abroad about this enterprise, the Britains began to conferre
togither of they great and importable miseries, of their grieuous state of seruitude, of their iniuries and wrongs,
which they dailie susteined: how that by sufferance they profited nothing, but still were oppressed with more
[Sidenote: Lieutenant & procurator.] heauie burthens. Ech countrie in times past had onelie one king to rule
them: now had they two, the lieutenant by his capteins and souldiers spilling their bloud, and the procurator or
receiuer (as we may call him) bereauing them of their goods and substance. The concord or discord betwixt
those that were appointed to rule ouer them, was all alike hurtfull vnto the subiects, the lieutenant oppressing
them by his capteins and men of warre, and the procurator or receiuer by force and reprochfull demeanours,
polling them by insufferable exactions.
There was nothing frée from the couetous extortion and filthie concupiscence of these vnsatiable persons, for
in these daies (say they) the greatest spoiler is the valiantest man, and most commonlie our houses are robbed
and ransacked by a sort of cowardlie raskals that haue no knowledge of anie warlike feats at all. Our children
are taken from us, we are forced to go to the musters, and are set foorth to serue in forren parties, as those that
are ignorant which way to spend our liues in the quarell of our owne countrie. What a number of souldiers
haue beene transported ouer from hence to serue in other lands, if a iust account were taken thereof: The
Germans by manhood haue cast (said they) from their shoulders the heauie yoke of bondage, and are not
defended as we are with the maine Ocean sea, but onelie with a riuer. Where the Britains haue their countrie,
their wiues and parents, as iust causes of war to fight for: the Romans haue none at all, but a couetous desire
to gaine by rapine, and to satisfie their excessiue lusts.
They might easilie be compelled to depart the countrie, as Iulius Cesar was, if the Britains would shew some
proofe of the noble prowesse that was euidentlie found in their woorthie ancestors, and not shrinke or quaile
in courage for the misaduenture that should happilie chance by fighting one battell or two. Greatest force and
constancie alwaies remaineth with those that séek to deliuer themselues from miserie. Now appeared it that
the gods had taken some pitie of the poore Britains, who by their diuine power did withhold the chiefe
capteine of the Romans with his armie, as it were banished [Sidenote: Occasion not be neglected.] in an other
Iland. Let vs then (said they) take the oportunitie of time and good occasion offered, and foorthwith procéed

in our businesse: for lesse danger it is manfullie to aduenture, and to go forward with our purpose, than to be
bewraied and taken in these our consultations. Thus hauing taken aduise togither, and wholie misliking their
present state, they determined to take weapon in hand, and so by force to seeke for reformation.
* * * * *
_A catalog of causes or greeuances inciting the Britains to rebell against the Romans, wherein is shewed what
iniuries they susteined: of diuers strange wonders and apparitions; the chiefe cause of the Britains insurging
against the Romans, they admitted as well women as men to publike gouernement. A description of queene
Voadicia, hir personage and maner of attire_.
THE TENTH CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: _Cor. Tac. lib. 14_.] The Britains indeed were occasioned to doo as they purposed, thorough manie
euill parts practised by the Romans greatlie to their griefs and displeasures. For whereas Prasutagus (who is
supposed [Sidenote: Prasutagus.] by Hector Boetius to be Aruiragus, king of the people called [Sidenote: The
Oxfordshire and Glocestershire men.] Iceni) had made the emperour and two of his owne daughters his heires,
supposing by that meane to haue his kingdome and familie preserued from all iniurie: it happened quite
contrarie to that his expectation. For his kingdome was spoiled by the Romane capteins, his wife [Sidenote:
Voadicia alias Bunduica.] named Voadicia beaten by the souldiers, his daughters rauished, the péeres of the
Chronicles : The Historie of England 13
realme bereft of their goods, and the kings friends made and reputed as bondslaues.
[Sidenote: Dion Cassius.] There was also an other great cause that stirred the Britains to this rebellion, which
was the confiscating of their goods: for whereas Claudius himselfe had pardoned the chiefest persons of the
forfeitures, Decianus Catus the procurator of that Ile mainteined that [Sidenote: Vsurie.] the same ought to be
renewed againe. To this an other griefe was added, that where Seneca had lent to the nobilitie of the Ile, foure
hundred sestercies, ech hundred being 500000 pounds starling, or thereabout, vpon great interest, he required
the whole summe togither by great rigor and violence, although he forced them at the first to take this monie
to vsurie.
Also such old souldiers as were placed by waie of a colonie, to inhabit the towne of Camelodunum, expelled
manie of the Britains out of their houses, droue them out of their possessions and lands, and accounted the
Britains as slaues, and as though they had bene captiue prisoners or bondmen. Besides this, the temple there
that was built in honor of Claudius, as an altar of eternall rule and gouernment, was serued with préests, the
which vnder colour of religion did spoile, consume and deuoure the goods of all men.

Moreouer, such strange sights and woonders as chanced about the same time, pricked the Britains the rather
forward. For the image of the goddesse Victoria in the temple at Camelodunum, slipping downe, turned hir
backe (as who should saie she gaue place as vanquished) to the [Sidenote: Dion Cassius.] enimies. Also in the
hall where the courts of iustice were kept, there was a maruellous great noise heard, with much laughing, and
a sturre [Sidenote: Strange woonders.] in the theatre, with great wéeping and lamentable howling, at such time
as it was certeinlie knowne that there was no creature there to make anie noise. The sea at a spring tide
appeared of a bloudie colour, and when the tide was gone backe, there were séene on the [Sidenote: Dion
Cassius.] sands the shapes & figures of mens bodies. Women also as rauished of their wits, and being as it
were in a furie, prophesied that destruction was at hand, so that the Britains were put greatlie in hope, and the
Romans in feare.
[Sidenote: Polydor.] But those things, whether they chanced by the craft of man, or illusion of the diuell; or
whether they procéeded of some naturall cause, which the common people oftentimes taketh superstitiouslie,
in place of strange woonders signifieng things to follow, we would let passe, least we might be thought to
offend religion; the which teaching all things to be doone by the prouidence of God, despiseth the vaine
predictions of haps to come, if the order of an historie (saith Polydor Virgil) would so permit, the which
requireth all things to be written in maner as they fall out and come to passe.
[Sidenote: _Cor. Tac. li. 15_. Voadicia by Dion Cassius is called Bunuica.] But the Britains were chiefelie
mooued to rebellion by the iust complaint of Voadicia, declaring how vnséemelie she had beene vsed and
intreated at the hands of the Romans: and because she was most earnestlie bent to séeke reuenge of their
iniuries, and hated the name of the Romans most of all other, they chose hir to be capteine (for [Sidenote: The
ancient Britains admitted as well women as men to publike gouernment.] they in rule and gouvernment made
no difference then of sex, whether they committed the same to man or woman) and so by a generall
conspiracie, the more part of the people hauing also allured the Essex men vnto rebellion, rose and assembled
themselues togither to make warre against the Romans. There were of them a hundred and twentie thousand
got togither in one armie vnder the leading of the said Voadicia, or Bunduica (as some name hir.)
She therefore to encourage hir people against the enimies, mounted vp into an high place raised vp of turfes &
sods made for the nonce, out of the which she made a long & verie pithie oration. Hir mightie tall personage,
comelie shape, seuere countenance, and sharpe voice, with hir long and yellow tresses of heare reaching
downe to hir thighes, hir braue and gorgeous apparell also caused the people to haue hir in great reuerence.
She ware a chaine of gold, great and verie massie, and was clad in a lose kirtle of sundrie colours, and aloft

therevpon she had a thicke Irish mantell: hereto in hir hand (as hir custome was) she bare a speare, to shew
hirselfe the more dreadfull.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 14
* * * * *
_The oration of queene Voadicia full of prudence and spirit to the Britains, for their encouragement against
the Romans, wherein she rippeth vp the vile seruitude and shamefull wrongs which their enimies inflicted
vpon them, with other matters verie motiue, both concerning themselues and their enimies, hir supplication
and praier for victorie_.
THE ELEUENTH CHAPTER.
Now Voadicia being prepared (as you heare) set foorth with such maiestie, that she greatlie incouraged the
Britains; vnto whome for their better animating and emboldening, she vttered this gallant oration in manner
and forme following.
[Sidenote: The oration of Voadicia.] "I doo suppose (my louers and friends) that there is no man here but
dooth well vnderstand how much libertie and fréedome is to be preferred before thraldome and bondage. But
if there haue bene anie of you so deceiued with the Romane persuasions, that ye did not for a time see a
difference betwéene them, and iudged whether of both is most to be desired: now I hope that hauing tried
what it is to be vnder both, ye will with me reforme your iudgement, and by the harmes alreadie taken,
acknowledge your ouersight, and forsake your former error. Againe, in that a number of you haue rashlie
preferred an externall souereigntie before the customes and lawes of your owne countrie, you doo at this time
(I doubt not) perfectlie vnderstand how much free pouertie is to be preferred before great riches, wherevnto
seruitude is annexed; and much wealth in respect of captiuitie vnder forren magistrats, wherevpon slauerie
attendeth. For what thing (I beséech you) can there be so vile & grieuous vnto the nature of man, that hath not
happened vnto vs, sithens the time that the Romans haue bene acquainted with this Iland?
"Are we not all in manner bereaued of our riches & possessions? Doo not we (beside other things that we
giue, and the land that we till for their onelie profit) paie them all kinds of tributs, yea for our owne carcases?
How much better is it to be once aloft and fortunate in deed, than vnder the forged and false title of libertie,
continuallie to paie for our redemption a fréedome? How much is it more commendable to lose our liues in
defense of our countrie, than to carie about not so much as our heads toll frée, but dailie oppressed & laden
with innumerable exactions? But to what end doo I remember and speake of these things, since they will not
suffer by death to become frée? For what and how much we paie for them that are dead, there is not one here

but he dooth well vnderstand. Among other nations such as are brought into seruitude, are alwaies by death
discharged of their bondage: onelie to the Romans the dead doo still liue, and all to increaes their commoditie
and gaine.
"If anie of vs be without monie (as I know not well how and which way we should come by anie) then are we
left naked, & spoiled of that which remaineth in our houses, & we our selues as men left desolate & dead.
How shall we looke for better dealing at their hands hereafter, that in the beginning deale so vncourteouslie
with vs: since there is no man that taketh so much as a wild beast, but at the first he will cherish it, and with
some gentlenesse win it to familiaritie? But we ourselues (to saie the trueth) are authors of our owne
mischiefe, which suffered them at the first to set foot within our Iland, and did not by and by driue them backe
as we did Cesar, or slue them with our swords when they were yet farre off, and that the aduenturing hither
was dangerous: as we did sometime to Augustus and Caligula.
"We therefore that inhabit this Iland, which for the quantitie thereof maie well be called a maine, although it
be inuironed about with the Ocean sea, diuiding vs from other nations, so that we séeme to liue vpon an other
earth, & vnder a seuerall heauen: we, euen we (I saie) whose name hath béene long kept hid from the wisest
of them all, are now contemned and troden vnder foot, of them who studie nothings else but how to become
lords & haue rule of other men. Wherefore my welbeloued citizens, friendes, and kinsfolkes (for I thinke we
are all of kin, since we were borne and dwell in this Ile, and haue one name common to vs all) let vs now,
euen now (I saie, because we haue not doone it heretofore, and whilest the remembrance of our ancient
Chronicles : The Historie of England 15
libertie remaineth) sticke togither, and performe that thing which dooth perteine to valiant and hardie
courages, to the end we maie inioie, not onelie the name of libertie, but also freédome it selfe, and thereby
leaue our force and valiant acts for an example to our posteritie: for if we which haue béene liberallie and in
honest maner brought vp, should vtterlie forget our pristinate felicitie: what may we hope for in those that
shall sucéed vs, and are like to be brought vp in miserie and thraldome?
"I doo not make rehearsall of these things vnfo you, to the end I would prouoke you to mislike of this present
estate of things (for well I know you abhorre it sufficientlie alreadie) neither to put you in feare of those things
that are likelie to fall hereafter (because you doo feare and sée them verie well before hand) but to the end I
maie giue you heartie thankes and woorthie commendations, for that of your owne accord and meanes you
determine so well to prouide for things necessarie (thereby to helpe both me and your selues with willing
minds) as men that are nothing in doubt of all the Romane puissance.

"If you consider the number of your enimies, it is not greater than yours: if you regard their strength, they are
no stronger than you: and all this dooth easilie appéere by the bassinets, habergeons, & greiues wherewith you
be armed; and also by the walls, ditches and trenches that you haue made for your own defense, to kéepe off
their excursions, who had rather fight with vs a farre off, than cope & deale with vs at hand strokes, as our
custome of the warres and martiall discipline dooth require. Wherefore we doo so farre exceed them in force,
that in mine opinion, our armie is more strong than stone walls, and one of our targets woorth all the armour
that they doo beare vpon them: by meanes whereof, if the victorie be ours, we shall soone make them
captiues: or if we lose the field, we shall easilie escape the danger.
"Furthermore, if after the flight we shall indeuour to méet anie where, we haue the marishes héere beneath to
hide vs in, and the hils round about to kéepe them off, so that by no meanes they shall haue their purpose of
vs, whereas they being ouercharged with heavie armour, shall neither be able to follow, if we flée; nor escape
out of our danger, if they be put to flight: if they happen to breake out at anie time as desirous to make a rode,
they returne by and by to their appointed places, where we maie take them as birds alreadie in cage. In all
which things, as they are farre inferior to vs, so most of all in this, that they can not indure hunger, thirst, cold,
heat, and sunneshine, as we can doo.
"In their houses also and tents, they make much account of their baked meates, wine, oile, and abroad of the
shadow, that if anie of these doo faile them, they either die foorthwith, or else in time they languish and
consume: whereas to vs euerie hearbe and root is meat, euerie iuice an oile, all water pleasant wine, and euerie
trée an house. Beside this, there is no place of the land vnknowne to vs, neither yet vnfriendlie to succour vs at
néed; whereas to the Romans they are for the most part vnknowne and altogither dangerous, if they should
stand in néed: we can with ease swim ouer euerie riuer both naked and clad, which they with their great ships
are scarse able to performe. Wherefore with hope and good lucke let vs set vpon them couragiouslie, and
teach them to vnderstand, that since they are no better than hares and foxes, they attempt a wrong match,
when they indeuour to subdue the grehounds and the woolues." With which words the quéene let an hare go
out of hir lap, as it were thereby to giue prognostication of hir successe, which comming well to passe, all the
companie showted, and cried out vpon such as not long before had doone such violence to so noble a
personage. Presentlie vpon this action, Voadicia calling them togither againe, procéeded forward with hir
praier, which she made before them all, holding vp hir hands after this manner:
"I giue thée thanks O Adraste, and call vpon thee thou woman of women, which reignest not ouer the
burthen-bearing Aegyptians, as Nitocris; neither ouer their merchants, as dooth Semiramis, for these trifles we

haue learned latelie of the Romans: neither ouer the people of Rome, as a little héeretofore Messalina, then
Agrippina, and now Nero, who is called by the name of a man, but is in déed a verie woman, as dooth appéere
by his voice, his harpe, and his womans attire: but I call vpon thee as a goddesse which gouernest the Britains,
that haue learned not to till the field, nor to be handicrafts men, but to lead their liues in the warres after the
best manner: who also as they haue all other things, so haue they likewise their wiues and children common,
whereby the women haue the like audacitie with the men, and no lesse boldnesse in the warres than they.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 16
"Therefore sithens I haue obteined a kingdome among such a mightie people, I beséech thée to grant them
victorie, health, and libertie, against these contentious, wicked, and vnsatiable men (if they maie be called
men, which vse warme bathings, delicate fare, hot wines, swéet oiles, soft beds, fine musicke, and so
vnkindlie lusts) who are altogither giuen to couetousnesse and crueltie, as their dooings doo declare. Let not I
beséech thée, the Neronian or Domitian tyrannie anie more preuaile vpon me, or (to saie truth) vpon thée, but
let them rather serue thée, whose heauie oppression thou hast borne withall a long season, and that thou wilt
still be our helper onlie, our defender, our fauourer, and our furtherer, O noble ladie, I hartilie beséech thée."
* * * * *
_Queene Voadicia marcheth against the Romans, to whom she giueth a shamefull and bloudie ouerthrow
without anie motion of mercie, dredfull examples of the Britains crueltie indifferentlie executed without
exception of age or sex_.
THE TWELFE CHAPTER.
When Voadicia had made an end of hir praier, she set forward against hir enimies, who at that time were
destitute in déed of their lieutenant Paulinus Suetonius, being as then in Anglesey (as before [Sidenote: _Corn.
Tacit._ Catus Decianus procurator.] ye haue heard.) Wherefore the Romans that were in Camelodunum sent
for aid vnto Catus Decianus the procurator, that is, the emperours agent, treasurer, or receiuer, for in that citie
(although it were inhabited by Romans) there was no great garrison of able men. Wherevpon the procurator
sent them such aid as he thought he might well spare, which was not past two hundred men, and those not
sufficientlie furnished either with weapon or armour.
The citie was not compassed with anie rampire or ditch for defense, such as happilie were priuie to the
conspiracie, hauing put into the heads of the Romans that no fortification néeded: neither were the aged men
nor women sent awaie, whereby the yoong able personages might without trouble of them the better attend to
the defense of the citie: but euen as they had béene in all suertie of peace, and frée from suspicion of anie

warre, they were suddenlie beset with the huge armie of the Britains, and so all went to spoile and fire that
could be found without the inclosure of the temple, into the which the Romane souldiers (striken with sudden
feare by this sudden comming of the enimies) had thronged themselues. Where being assieged by the Britains,
within the space of two daies the place was woonne, and they that were found within it, slaine euerie mothers
sonne.
After this, the Britains incouraged with this victorie, went to méet with Petus Cerealis lieutenant of the legion,
surnamed the ninth, and boldlie incountering with the same legion, gaue the Romans the ouerthrow and slue
all the footmen, so that Cerealis with much adoo escaped with his horssemen, and got him backe to the campe,
and saued himselfe within the trenches. Catus the procurator being put in feare with this ouerthrow, and
perceiuing what hatred the Britains bare towards him, hauing with his couetousnesse thus brought the warre
vpon the head of the Romans, got him ouer into Gallia.
But Suetonius aduertised of these dooings, came backe out of Anglesey, and with maruellous constancie
marched through the middest of his enimies to London, being as then not greatlie peopled with Romans,
though there was a colonie of them, but full of merchants, and well prouided of vittels: he was in great doubt
at his comming thither, whether he might best staie there as in a place most conuenient, or rather séeke some
other more easie to be defended. At length considering the small number of his men of warre, and remembring
how Cerealis had sped by his too much rashnesse, he thought better with the losing of one towne to saue the
whole, than to put all in danger of irrecouerable losse. And therewith nothing mooued at the praier & teares of
them which besought him of aid and succour, he departed, and those that would go with him he receiued into
his armie, those that taried behind were oppressed by the enimies: and the like destruction happened to them
of Verolanium, a towne in those daies of great fame, situat néere to the place where the towne of Saint Albons
now standeth.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 17
The Britains leauing the castels and fortresses vnassaulted, followed their game in spoiling of those places
which were easie to get, and where great plentie of riches was to be found, vsing their victorie with such
crueltie, that they slue (as the report went) to the number [Sidenote: 80000, saith Dion.] of 70 thousand
Romans, and such as tooke their part in the said places by the Britains thus woon and conquered. For there
was nothing with the Britains but slaughter, fire, gallowes, and such like, so earnestlie were they set on
reuenge. They spared neither age nor sex: women of great nobilitie and woorthie fame they tooke and hanged
vp naked, and cutting off their paps, sowed them to their mouthes, that they might séeme as if they sucked and

fed on them, and some of their bodies they stretched out in length, and thrust them on sharpe stakes. All these
things they did in great despite whilest they sacrificed in their temples, and made feasts, namelie in the wood
consecrated to the honour of Andates, for so they called the goddesse of victorie whom they worshipped most
reuerentlie.
* * * * *
_P. Suetonius the Romane with a fresh power assalteth the Britains, whose armie consisted as well of women
as men: queene Voadicia incourageth hir souldiers, so dooth Suetonius his warriors, both armies haue a sharpe
conflict, the Britains are discomfited and miserablie slaine, the queene dieth, Penius Posthumus killeth
himselfe, the Britains are persecuted with fire, swoord, and famine, the grudge betweene Cassicianus and
Suetonius, whome Polycletus is sent to reconcile, of his traine, and how the Britains repined at him_.
THE XIIJ. CHAPTER.
In this meane time there came ouer to the aid of Suetonius, the legion surnamed the 14, and other bands of
souldiers and men of warre, to the number of ten thousand in the whole, wherevpon (chieflie bicause vittels
began to faile him) he prepared to giue battell to his enimies, and chose out a plot of ground verie strong
within straits, and backed with a wood, so that the enimies could not assault his campe but on the front: yet by
reason of their great multitude and [Sidenote: The Britains were at that time 230000 men, (as Dion writeth.)]
hope of victorie conceiued by their late prosperous successe, the Britains vnder the conduct of quéene
Voadicia aduentured to giue battell, hauing their women there to be witnesses of the victorie, whome they
placed in charrets at the vttermost side of their field.
[Sidenote: _Corn. Tacit. li. 15 Dion Cassius_.] Voadicia, or Boudicia (for so we find hir written by some
copies, and Bonuica also by Dion) hauing hir daughters afore hir, being mounted into a charret, as she passed
by the souldiers of ech sundrie countrie, told them "it was a thing accustomed among the Britains to go to the
warres vnder the leading of women; but she was not now come foorth as one borne of such noble ancestors as
she was descended from, to fight for hir kingdome and riches; but as one of the meaner sort, rather to defend
hir lost libertie, and to reuenge hir selfe of the enimie, for their crueltie shewed in scourging hir like a
vagabond, and shamefull deflouring of hir daughters: for the licentious lust of the Romans was so farre spred
and increased, that they spared neither the bodies of old nor yoong, but were readie most shamefullie to abuse
them, hauing whipped hir naked being an aged woman, and forced hir daughters to satisfie their filthie
concupiscence: but (saith she) the gods are at hand readie to take iust reuenge.
"The legion that presumed to incounter with vs is slaine and beaten downe. The residue kéepe them close

within their holds, or else séeke waies how to flée out of the countrie: they shall not be once able so much as
to abide the noise and clamor of so manie thousands as we are héere assembled, much lesse the force of our
great puissance and dreadfull hands. If ye therefore (said she) would wey and consider with your selues your
huge numbers of men of warre, and the causes why ye haue mooued this warre, ye would surelie determine
either in this battell to die with honour, or else to vanquish the enimie by plaine force, for so (quoth she) I
being a woman am fullie resolued, as for you men ye maie (if ye list) liue and be brought into bondage."
"Neither did Suetonius ceasse to exhort his people: for though he trusted in their manhood, yet as he had
diuided his armie into three battels, so did he make vnto ech of them a seuerall oration, willing them not to
Chronicles : The Historie of England 18
feare the shrill and vaine menacing threats of the Britains, sith there was among them more women than men,
they hauing no skill in warrelike discipline, and heereto being naked without furniture of armour, would
foorthwith giue place when they should féele the sharpe points of the Romans weapons, and the force of them
by whom they had so often béene put to flight. In manie legions (saith he) the number is small of them that
win the battell. Their glorie therefore should be the more, for that they being a small number should win the
fame due to the whole armie, if they would (thronging togither) bestow their weapons fréelie, and with their
swoords and targets preasse forward vpon their enimies, continuing the slaughter without regard to the spoile,
they might assure themselues when the victorie was once atchiued to haue all at their pleasures."
Such forwardnesse in the souldiers followed vpon this exhortation of the couragious generall, that euerie one
prepared himselfe so readilie to doo his dutie, and that with such a shew of skill and experience, that
Suetonius hauing conceiued an assured hope of good lucke to follow, caused the trumpets to sound to the
battell. The onset was giuen in the straits, greatlie to the aduantage of the Romans, being but a handfull in
comparison to their enimies. The fight in the beginning was verie sharpe and cruell, but in the end the Britains
being a let one to another (by reason of the narrownesse of the place) were not able to susteine the violent
force of the Romans their enimies, so that they were constreind to giue backe, and so being disordered were
put to flight, and vtterlie discomfited.
[Sidenote: 80000 Britains slaine.] There were slaine of the Britains that day few lesse than 80000 [*_sic_]
thousand*, as Tacitus writeth. For the straits being stopped with the charrets, staied the flight of the Britains,
so as they could not easilie escape: and the Romans were so set on reuenge, that they spared neither man nor
woman, so that manie were slaine in the battell, manie amongst the charrets, and a great number at the woods
side, which way they made their flight, and manie were taken prisoners. Those that escaped, would haue

fought a new battell, but in the meane time Voadicia, or Bonuica deceassed of a naturall infirmitie, as Dion
Cassius writeth, but other say that she poisoned hir selfe, and so died, because she would not come into the
hands of hir bloodthirstie enimies. There died of the Romans part in this most notable battell 400, and about
the like number were grieuouslie hurt and most pitifullie wounded.
[Sidenote: Penius Posthumous sleieth himselfe.] Penius Posthumous maister of the campe of the second
legion, vnderstanding the prosperous successe of the other Romane capteins, because he had defrauded his
legion of the like glorie, and had refused to obeie the commandements of the generall, contrarie to the vse of
warre, slue himselfe.
After this all the Romane armie was brought into the field to make an end of the residue of the warre. And the
emperour caused a supplie to be sent out of Germanie being 2000 legionarie souldiers, and 8 bands of aids,
with 1000 horssemen, by whose comming the bands of the ninth legion were supplied with legionarie
souldiers, and those bands and wings of horssemen were appointed to places where they might winter, and
such people of the Britains as were either enimies, or else stood in doubt whether to be friends or enimies in
déed, were persecuted with fire and sword.
But nothing more afflicted them than famine, for whilest euerie man gaue himselfe to the warre, and purposed
to haue liued vpon the prouision of the Romans and other their enimies, they applied not themselues to tillage,
nor to anie husbanding of the ground, and long [Sidenote: Julius Cassickinus procurator.] it was yer they
(being a fierce kind of people) fell to embrace peace, by reason that Iulius Cassicianus, who was sent into
Britaine as successor to Catus, fell at square with Suetonius, and by his priuat grudge hindered the prosperous
successe of publike affaires. He sticked not to write to Rome, that except an other were sent to succéed in the
roome that Suetonius did beare, there would be no end of the warres. Herevpon one Polycletus, which
sometime had béene a bondman, was sent into Britaine, as a commissioner to surueie the state of the countrie,
to reconcile the legat and procurator, & also to pacifie all troubles within the Ile. The port which Polycletus
bare was great, for he was furnished with no small traine that attended vpon him, so that his presence seemed
verie dreadfull to the Romans. But the Britains that were not yet pacified, thought great scorne to see such
honorable capteins and men of warre as the Romans were, to submit themselues to the order of such a one as
Chronicles : The Historie of England 19
had béene a bondslaue.
* * * * *
_In what state the Iland stood whiles Aruiragus reigned; the dissolute and loose gouernement of Petronius

Turpilianus, Trebellius Maximus, and Victius Volanus, thrée lieutenants in Brltaine for the Romane
emperours, of Iulius Frontinus who vanquished the Silures_.
THE XIIIJ. CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: PETRONIUS TURPILIANUS LIEUTENANT.] In place of Suetonius, was Petronius Turpilianus
(who had latelie béene consull) appointed to haue gouernance of the armie in Britaine, the which neither
troubling the enimie, nor being of the enimie in anie wise troubled or prouoked, did colour slouthfull rest with
the honest name of peace and quietnesse, and so sat still without exploiting anie notable enterprise.
[Sidenote: TREBELLIUS MAXIMUS LIEUTENANT.] After Turpilianus, Trebellius Maximus was made
lieutenant of Britaine, who likewise with courteous demeanour sought to kéepe the Britains in rest rather than
by force to compell them. And now began the people of the Ile to beare with pleasant faults and flattering
vices, so that the ciuill warres that chanced in those daies after the death of the emperour Nero at home, might
easilie excuse the slouthfulnesse of the Romane lieutenants.
Moreouer, there rose dissention amongest their men of warre, which being vsed to lie abroad in the field,
could not agrée with the idle life; so that Trebellius Maximus was glad to hide himselfe from the sight of the
souldiers being in an vprore against him, till at length humbling himselfe vnto them further than became his
estate, he gouerned by waie of intreatie, or rather at their courtesie. And so was the commotion staied without
bloudshed, the armie as it were hauing by couenant obtained to liue licentiouslie, and the capteine suertie to
liue without danger to be murthered.
[Sidenote: VICTIUS VOLANUS LIEUTENAT.] Neither Victius Volanus that succéeded Maximus whilest
the time of the ciuill warres as yet endured, did trouble the Britains, vsing the same slacknesse and slouth that
the other lieutenants had vsed before him, and permitted the like licence to the presumptuous souldiers: but
yet was Volanus innocent as touching himselfe, and not hated for anie notable crime or vice: so that he
purchased fauour, although authoritie wanted.
But after that the emperour Vsepasianus had subdued his aduersaries, and atteined the imperiall gouernment,
as well ouer Britaine as ouer other parts of the world, there were sent hither right noble [Sidenote: _Cor.
Tacitus_.] capteins, with diuers notable bands of souldiers, and Petilius Cerialis being appointed lieutenant,
put the Britains in great feare, by inuading the Brigants the mightiest nation of all the whole Iland: and
fighting manie battels, and some right bloudie with those people, he subdued a great part of the countrie at the
last.
[Sidenote: IULIUS FRONTINUS LIEUTENAT.] After him succéeded as lieutenant of Britaine, one Iulius

Frontinus, who vanquished and brought to the Romane subiection by force of armes the people called Silures,
striuing not onelie against the stout resistance of the men, but also with the hardnesse & combersome troubles
of the places.
¶ Thus may you perceiue in what state this Ile stood in the time that Aruiragus reigned in the same, as is
supposed by the best histories of the old Britains: so that it may be thought that he gouerned rather a part of
this land, than the whole, and bare the name of a king, the Romans not hauing so reduced the countrie into the
forme of a prouince, but that the Britains bare rule in diuerse parts thereof, and that by the permission of the
Romans, which neuerthelesse had their lieutenants and procuratours here, that bare the greatest rule vnder the
aforesaid emperours.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 20
* * * * *
_The state of this Iland under Marius the sonne of Aruiragus, the comming in of the Picts with Roderike their
king, his death in the field, the Picts and Scots enter into mutuall aliance, the monument of Marius, his
victorie ouer the Picts, his death and interrement_.
THE XV. CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: MARIUS. Hector Boetius saith that his Marius was a Romane. 73.] After the decease of Aruiragus,
this sonne Marius succeeded him in the estate, and began his reigne in the yeare of our Lord 73. In the old
English chronicle he is fondlie called Westmer, & was a verie wise man, gouerning the Britains in great
prosperitie, honour and wealth.
In the time of this mans reigne, the people called Picts inuaded [Sidenote: Of these you maie reade more in
pag. _Matth. West._] this land, who are iudged to be descended of the nation of the Scithians, neare kinsmen
to the Goths, both by countrie and maners, a cruell kind of men and much giuen to the warres. This people
with their ringleader Roderike, or (as some name him) Londorike, entering the Ocean sea after the maner of
rouers, arriued on the coasts of Ireland, where they required of the Scots new seats to inhabit in: for the Scots
which (as some thinke) were also descended of the Scithians, did as then inhabit in Ireland: but doubting that
it should not be for their profit to receiue so warlike a nation into that Ile, feining as it were a friendship, and
excusing the matter by the narrownesse of the countrie, declared to the Picts, that the Ile of Britaine was not
farre from thence, being a large countrie and a plentifull, and not greatly inhabited: wherefore they counselled
them to go thither, promising vnto them all the aid that might be.
The Picts more desirous of spoile than of rule or gouernment without delaie returned to the sea, and sailed

towards Britaine, where being arriued, they first inuaded the north parts thereof, and finding there but few
inhabiters, they began to wast and forrey the countrie: whereof when king Marius was aduertised, with all
speed he assembled [Sidenote: Roderike king of Picts slaine.] his people, and made towards his enimies, and
giuing them battell, obtained the victorie, so that Roderike was there slaine in the field, and his people
vanquished.
Vnto those that escaped with life, Marius granted licence that they might inhabit in the north part of Scotland
called Catnesse, being as then a countrie in maner desolate without habitation: wherevpon they withdrew
thither, and setled themselues in those parties. And bicause the Britains disdained to grant vnto them their
daughters in mariage, they sent vnto the Scots into Ireland, requiring to haue wiues of their nation. The Scots
agréed to their request, with this condition, that where there wanted lawfull issue of the kings linage to
succéed in the kingdome of the Picts, then should they name one of the womans side to be their king: which
ordinance was receiued and obserued euer after amongst the Picts, so long as their kingdome endured.
Thus the Picts next after the Romans were the first of anie strangers that came into this land to inhabit as most
writers affirme, although the Scotish chronicles auouch the Picts to be inhabiters here before [Sidenote:
_Polydor. Matth. West._] the incarnation of our sauiour. But the victorie which Marius obteined against their
king Roderike, chanced in the yéere after the incarnation 87. In remembrance of which victorie, Marius
caused a stone to be erected in the same place where the battell was fought, in which stone was grauen these
words, Marij victoria. The English chronicle saith that this stone was set vp on Stanesmoore, and that the
whole countrie thereabout taking name of this Marius, was Westmaria, now called Westmerland.
King Marius hauing thus subdued his enimies, and escaped the danger of their dreadfull inuasion, gaue his
mind to the good gouernement of his people, and the aduancement of the common wealth of the realme,
continuing the residue of his life in great tranquillitie, and [Sidenote: _Matt. West._ Thus find we in the
British and English histories touching this Marius.] finallie departed this life, after he had reigned (as most
writers say) 52, or 53 yéeres. Howbeit there be that write, that he died in the yéere of our Lord 78, and so
Chronicles : The Historie of England 21
reigned not past fiue or six yéeres at the most. He was buried at Caerleill, leauing a sonne behind him called
Coill.
Humfrey Lhoyd séemeth to take this man and his father Aruiragus to be all one person, whether mooued
thereto by some catalog of kings which he saw, or otherwise, I cannot affirme: but speaking of the time when
the Picts and Scots should first come to settle themselues in this land, he hath these words; Neither was there

anie writers of name, that made mention either of Scots or Picts before Vespasianus time, about the yeere of
the incarnation 72: at what time Meurig or Maw, or Aruiragus reigned in Britaine, in which time our annales
doo report, that a certeine kind of people liuing by pirasie and rouing on the sea, came foorth of Sueden, or
Norwaie, vnder the guiding of one Rhithercus, who landed in Albania, wasting all the countrie with robbing
and spoiling so farre as Caerleill, where he was vanquished in battell, and slaine by Muragus, with a great part
of his people; the residue that escaped by flight, fled to their ships, and so conueied themselues into the Iles of
Orkney and Scotland, where they abode quietlie a great while after.
Thus farre haue I thought good to shew of the foresaid Lhoyds booke, for that it seemeth to carie a great
likelihood of truth with it, for the historie of the Picts, which vndoubtedlie I thinke were not as yet inhabiting
in Britaine, but rather first placing themselues in the Iles of Orkney, made inuasion into the maine Ile of
Britaine afterwards, as occasion was offred. In the British toong they are called Pightiaid, that is Pightians,
and so likewise were they called in the Scotish, and in their owne toong. Now will we shew what chanced in
this Ile, during the time of the foresaid Marius his supposed reigne, as is found in the Romane histories.
* * * * *
_Iulius Agricola is deputed by Vespasian to gouerne Britaine, he inuadeth the Ile of Anglesey, the inhabitants
yeeld vp them selues, the commendable gouernement of Agricola, his worthie practises to traine the Britains
to ciuilitie, his exploits fortunatelie atchiued against diuerse people, as the Irish, &c._
THE 16. CHAPTER.
After Iulius Frontinus, the emperor Vespasian sent Iulius Agricola to [Sidenote: Iulius Agricola lieutenant.]
succéed in the gouernement of Britaine, who comming ouer about the midst of summer, found the men of
warre thorough want of a lieutenant negligent inough, so those that looking for no trouble, thought [Sidenote:
_Cor. Tacit in uit. Agr._] themselues out of all danger, where the enimies neuerthelesse watched [Sidenote:
The first yéere of Agricola his gouernment.] vpon the next occasion to worke some displeasure, and were
readie on ech hand to mooue rebellion, For the people called Ordouices, that inhabited in the countrie of
Chesshire, Lancashire and part of Shropshire, had latelie before ouerthrowne, and in maner vtterlie destroied a
wing of such horssemen as soiourned in their parties, by reason whereof all the prouince was brought almost
into an assured hope to recouer libertie.
Agricola vpon his comming ouer, though summer was now halfe past, and that the souldiers lodging here &
there abroad in the countrie, were more disposed to take rest, than to set forward into the field against the
enimies, determined yet to resist the present danger: and therewith assembling the men of warre of the

Romans, and such other aids as he might make, he inuaded their countrie that had done this foresaid
displeasure, and slue the most part of all the inhabitants thereof. Not thus contented (for that he thought good
to follow the steps of fauourable fortune, and knowing that as the begining proued, so would the whole
sequele of his affaires by likelihood come to passe) he purposed to make a full conquest of the Ile of
Anglesey, [Sidenote: The Ile of Anglesey.] from the conquest wherof the Romane lieutenant Paulinus was
called backe by the rebellion of other of the Britains, as before ye haue heard.
But whereas he wanted ships for the furnishing of his enterprise, his wit and policie found a shift to supplie
that defect: for choosing out a piked number of such Britains as he had there with him in aid, which knew the
foords and shallow places of the streames there, and withall were verie skilfull in swimming (as the maner of
Chronicles : The Historie of England 22
the countrie then was) he appointed them to passe ouer on the sudden into the Ile, onelie with their horsses,
armor, and weapon: which enterprise they so spéedilie, and with so good successe atchiued, that the
inhabitants much amazed with that dooing (which looked for a nauie of ships to haue transported ouer their
enimies by sea, and therefore watched on the coast) began to thinke that nothing was able to be defended
against such kind of warriors that got ouer into the Ile after such sort and maner.
[Sidenote: Anglesey yéelded to Agricola.] And therefore making sute for peace, they deliuered the Ile into the
hands of Agricola, whose fame by these victories dailie much increased, as of one that tooke pleasure in
trauell, and attempting to atchiue dangerous enterprises, in stead whereof his predecessors had delighted, to
shew the maiesties of their office by vaine brags, statelie ports, and ambitious pomps. For Agricola turned not
the prosperous successe of his procéedings into vanitie, but rather with neglecting his fame, increased it to the
vttermost, among them that iudged what hope was to be looked for of things by him to be atchiued, which
with silence kept secret these his so woorthie dooings.
Moreouer, perceiuing the nature of the people in this Ile of Britaine, and sufficientlie taught by other mens
example, that armor should little auaile where iniuries followed to the disquieting of the [Sidenote: Agricola
his good gouernment.] people, he thought best to take away and remooue all occasions of warre. And first
beginning with himselfe and his souldiers, tooke order for a reformation to be had in his owne houshold,
yéelding nothing to fauor, but altogither in respect of vertue, accounting them most faithfull which therein
most excelled. He sought to know all things, but not to doo otherwise than reason mooued, pardoning small
faults, and sharpelie punishing great and heinous offenses, neither yet deliting alwaies in punishment, but
oftentimes in repentance of the offendor. Exactions and tributes he lessened, qualifieng the same by

reasonable equitie. And thus in reforming the state of things, he wan him great praise in time of peace, the
which either by negligence or sufferance of the former lieutenants, was euer feared, and accounted woorse
than open warre. This was his practise in the winter time of his first yéere.
[Sidenote: His diligence.] But when summer was come, he assembled his armie, and leading foorth the same,
trained his souldiers in all honest warlike discipline, commending the good, and reforming the bad and
vnrulie. He himselfe to giue example, tooke vpon him all dangers that came to hand, and suffered not the
enimies to liue in rest, but wasted their countries with sudden inuasions. And when he had sufficientlie
chastised them, and put them in feare by such manner of dealing, he spared them, that they might againe
conceiue some hope of peace. By which meanes manie countries which vnto those daies had kept themselues
out of bondage, laid rancor aside, and deliuered pledges, and further were contented to suffer castels to be
builded within them, and to be kept with garrisons, so that no part of Britaine was frée from the Romane
power, but stood still in danger to be brought vnder more and more.
[Sidenote: The second yéere of Agricola his gouernment.] In the winter following, Agricola tooke paines to
reduce the Britains from their rude manners and customs, vnto a more ciuill sort and trade of liuing, that
changing their naturall fiercenesse and [Sidenote: The woorthie practises of Agricola to traine the Britains to
ciuilitie.] apt disposition to warre, they might through tasting pleasures be so inured therewith, that they
should desire to liue in rest and quietnesse: and therefore he exhorted them priuilie, and holpe them publikelie
to build temples, common halls where plées of law might be kept, and other houses, commending them that
were diligent in such dooings, and blaming them that were negligent, so that of necessitie they were driuen to
striue who should preuent ech other in ciuilitie. He also procured that noble mens sonnes should learne the
liberall sciences, and praised the nature of the Britains more than the people of Gallia, bicause they studied to
atteine to the knowledge of the Romane eloquence. By which meanes the Britains in short time were brought
to the vse of good and commendable manners, and sorted themselues to go in comelie apparell after the
Romane fashion, and by little and little fell to accustome themselues to fine fare and delicate pleasures, the
readie prouokers of vices, as to walke in galleries, to wash themselues in bathes, to vse banketting, and such
like, which amongst the vnskilfull was called humanitie or courtesie, but in verie deed it might be accounted a
part of thraldome and seruitude, namelie being too excessiuelie vsed.
Chronicles : The Historie of England 23
[Sidenote: The third yéere.] In the third yéere of Agricola his gouernment in Britaine, he inuaded the north
parts thereof (vnknowne till those daies of the Romans) being the same where the Scots now inhabit: for he

[Sidenote: The water of Tay.] wasted the countrie vnto the water of Tay, in such wise putting the inhabitants
in feare, that they durst not once set vpon his armie, though it were so that the same was verie sore disquieted
and vexed by tempest and rage of weather. Wherevpon finding no great let or hinderance by the enimies, he
builded certeine castels and fortresses, which he placed in such conuenient stéeds, that they greatlie annoied
his aduersaries, and were so able to be defended, that there was none of those castels which he builded, either
woon by force out of the Romans hands, or giuen ouer by composition, for feare to be taken: so that the same
beeing furnished with competent numbers of men of warre, were safelie kept from the enimies, the which
were dailie vexed by the often issues made foorth by the souldiers that laie thus in garrison within them: so
that where in times past the said enimies would recouer their losses susteined in summer by the winters
aduantage, now they were put to the woorse, and kept backe as well in the winter as in the summer.
[Sidenote: The fourth yéere of Agricola his gouernment. Clota Bodotria.] In the fourth summer, after that
Agricola was appointed vnto the rule of this land, he went about to bring vnder subiection those people, the
which before time he had by incursions and forreies sore vexed and disquieted: and therevpon comming to the
waters of Clide and Loughleuen, he built certeine fortresses to defend the passages and entries there, driuing
the enimies beyond the same waters, as it had béene into a new Iland.
[Sidenote: The fift yéere.] In the fift summer, Agricola causing his ships to be brought about, and appointing
them to arriue on the north coasts of Scotland, he passed with his armie ouer the riuer of Clide; and subdued
such people as inhabited those further parts of Scotland, which till those daies had not beene discouered by the
Romans. And bicause he thought it should serue well to purpose, for some conquest to be made of Ireland, if
that part of Scotland which bordereth on the Irish seas might be kept in due obedience, he placed garrisons of
souldiers in those parties, in hope verelie vpon occasion to passe ouer into Ireland, and for the more easie
aduancement of his purpose therein, he interteined with honourable prouision one of the kings of Ireland,
[Sidenote: An Irish king expelled out of his countrie.] which by ciuill discord was expelled and driuen out of
his countrie. In déed Agricola perceiued, that with one legion of souldiers, and a small aid of other men of
warre it should be an easie matter to conquer Ireland, and to bring it vnder the dominion of the Romans:
which enterprise he iudged verie necessarie to be exploited, for better kéeping of the Britains in obedience, if
they should sée the iurisdiction of the Romans euerie where extended, and the libertie of their neighbours
suppressed.
[Sidenote: The sixt yéere of Agricola his government.] In the sixt summer of Agricola his gouernment, he
proceeded in subduing the furthermost parts of Scotland northwards, causing his nauie to kéepe course against

him by the coast as he marched foorth by land, so that the Britains perceiuing how the secret hauens and
créekes of their countries were now discouered, and that all hope of refuge was in maner cut off from them,
were in maruellous feare. On the other part the Romans were sore troubled with the rough mounteins and
craggie rocks, by the which they were constreined to passe beside the dangerous riuers, lakes, woods, streicts,
and other combersome waies and passages.
The danger also of them that were in the ships by sea was not small, by reason of winds and tempests, and
high spring tides, which tossed and turmoiled their vessels verie cruellie: but by the painfull diligence of them
that had béene brought vp and inured with continuall trauell and hardnesse, all those discommodities were
ouercome to their great reioising, when they met and fell in talke of their passed perils. For oftentimes the
armie by land incamped so by the shore, that those which kept the sea came on land to make merrie in the
campe, and then ech one would recount to others the aduentures that had happened, as the manner is in
semblable cases.
* * * * *
Chronicles : The Historie of England 24
_The Britains of Calenderwood assalt the Romans upon aduantage, bloudie battels fought betwixt them, great
numbers slaine on both sides, the villanous dealing of certeine Dutch souldiers against their capteins and
fellowes in armes, the miserie that they were driven vnto by famine to eate one another, a sharpe conflict
betweene the Romans and Britains, with the losse of manie a mans life, and effusion of much bloud_.
THE XVIJ. CHAPTER.
[Sidenote: Calenderwood.] The Britains that inhabited in those daies about the parts of Calenderwood,
perceiuing in what danger they were to be vtterlie subdued, assembled themselues togither, in purpose to trie
the fortune of battell: whereof Agricola being aduertised, marched foorth with his armie diuided in three
battels, so that the enimies doubting to trie the matter in open field, espied their time in the night, and with all
their whole puissance set vpon one of the Romane legions, which they knew to be most féeble and weake,
trusting by a camisado to distresse the same: and first sleaing the watch, they entred the campe, where the said
legion laie, and finding the souldiers in great disorder, betwixt sléepe and feare, began the fight euen within
the campe.
Agricola had knowledge of their purposed intent, and therefore with all speed hasted foorth to come to the
succours of his people, sending first his light horssemen, and certeine light armed footmen to assaile the
enimies on their backs, and shortlie after approched with his whole puissance, so that the Romane standards

beginning to appéere in sight by the light of the daie that then began to spring, the Britains were sore
discouraged, and the Romans renewing their force, fiercelie preassed vpon them, so that euen in the entrie of
the campe, there was a sore conflict, till at length the Britains were put to flight and chased, so that if the
mareshes and woods had not saued them from the pursute of the Romans, there had beene an end made of the
whole warre euen by that one daies worke. But the Britains escaping as well as they might, and reputing the
victorie to haue chanced not by the valiancie of the Romane soldiers, but by occasion, and the prudent policie
of their capteine, were nothing abashed with that their present losse, but prepared to put their youth againe
into armour: and therevpon they remooued their wiues and children into safe places, and then assembling the
chiefest gouernours togither, concluded a league amongst themselues, ech to aid other, confirming their
articles with dooing of sacrifice (as the manner in those daies was.)
[Sidenote: The seuenth yéere.] The same summer, a band of such Dutch or Germaine souldiers as had béene
leuied in Germanie & sent ouer into Britaine to the aid of the Romans, attempted a great and woonderfull act,
in sleaing their capteine, and such other of the Romane souldiers which were appointed to haue the training
and leading of them, as officers and instructors to them in the feats of warre: and when they had committed
that murther, they got into thrée pinesses, and became rouers on the coasts of Britaine, and incountring with
diuerse of the Britains that were readie to defend their countrie from spoile, oftentimes they got the vpper
hand of them, and now and then they were chased awaie, insomuch that in the end they were brought to such
extremitie for want of vittels, that they did eate such amongst them as were the weakest, and after, such as the
lot touched, being indifferentlie cast amongst them: and so being caried about the coasts of Britaine, & losing
their vessels through want of skill to gouerne them, they were reputed for robbers, and therevpon were
apprehended, first by the Suabeners, and shortlie after by the Frizers, the which sold diuerse of them to the
Romans and other, whereby the true vnderstanding of their aduentures came certeinlie to light.
[Sidenote: The eight yéere of Agricola his gouernment.] In summer next following, Agricola with his armie
came to the mounteine of Granziben, where he vnderstood that his enimies were incamped, to the number of
30 thousand and aboue, and dailie there came to them more companie of the British youth, and such aged
persons also as were lustie and in strength, able to weld weapon and beare [Sidenote: Galgagus whome the
Scots name Gald and will néeds haue him a Scotish man.] armour. Amongst the capteins the chiefest was one
Galgagus whom the Scotish chronicles name Gald. This man as chiefteine and head capteine of all the
Britains there assembled, made to them a pithie oration, to incourage them to fight manfullie, and likewise did
Agricola to his people: which being ended, the armies on both sides were put in order of battell. Agricola

placed 8 thousand footmen of strangers which he had there in aid with him in the midst, appointing thrée
Chronicles : The Historie of England 25